PARTIES across the political divide are fielding several candidates to contest both parliamentary and state seats as part of a strategy to hedge their bets and also to make the best out of a lack of capable candidates.

In addition, when the candidate is a menteri besar or a senior leader, the party may feel that it needs that politician’s presence in Parliament.

Besides defending their turf, established big wigs also rely on their brand names to improve their chances in marginal seats.

An example is Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is contesting both the Pasir Gudang parliamentary and Permas state seats.

Pasir Gudang is considered a marginal seat, won by BN in 2013 by 935 votes, and BN would rely on Khaled’s stature to improve its chances of victory.

Another example is Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir, who is contesting the Lumut parliamentary seat as well as the Pangkor state seat.

In Sarawak, state Pakatan Harapan leader Chong Chieng Jen is contesting the Stampin parliamentary seat while holding the Kota Sentosa seat he defended in the 2016 state election. Sarawak is only holding parliamentary elections this year.

In Stampin, Chong will be facing Dr Sim Kui Hian, president of the state BN component Sarawak United People’s Party. Sim also holds a state seat, Batu Kawah, which he won last year.

Mustapa Mohamed, who is caretaker international trade and industry minister, is contesting for the Jeli parliamentary Air Lanas state seats.

Pakatan Harapan leaders doing the same are Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. – April 28, 2018.

CANDIDATES CONTESTING FEDERAL (P) AND STATE (N) SEATS:

Barisan Nasional

Mohamed Khaled Nordin (Umno) - Pasir Gudang (P) and Permas (N)

Zambry Abd Kadir (Umno) - Lumut (P) and Pangkor (N).

Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin (Umno) - Temerloh (P) and Lanchang (N)

Mustapa Mohamed (Umno) - Jeli (P) and Air Lanas (N)

Opposition

Muhyiddin Yassin (Bersatu) - Pagoh (P) and Gambir (N)

Mukhriz Mahathir (Bersatu) - Jerlun (P) and Jitra (N)

Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR) - Gombak (P) and Bukit Antarabangsa (N)

Lim Guan Eng (DAP) - Bagan (P) and Air Putih (N)

Chow Kon Yeow (DAP) - Tanjong (P) and Padang Kota (N)

Nga Kor Ming (DAP) - Teluk Intan (P) and Aulong (N)

Anthony Loke (DAP) - Seremban (P) and Chennah (N)

Patrick Ooi Khar Giap (Penang Front Party) - Batu Kawan (P) and Prai (N)